Maple Express | August 19, 2026 Trump pauses 50% tariffs on Canada

1. Trump pauses 50% tariffs on Canada

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Truth Social Tuesday night that he is pausing a new round of 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods that were set to take effect Wednesday, suspending them for three days based on a pending trade deal between the two countries. The tariffs would have targeted about US$20 billion worth of Canadian goods, including cement and hockey sticks.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a statement that while the two countries have made substantial progress, "there is important work still to be done." The announcement follows weeks of intense negotiations between Canadian and U.S. officials.

2. Brampton father fights to bring home son he says was abducted in Poland

Brampton resident Michal Kwadrans says it has been more than 500 days since he last spoke with his four-year-old son Fabian. The family travelled to Poland together in March 2024; Kwadrans returned home after two weeks, but his wife and son never came back.

Peel Regional Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for the boy's mother, Barbara, who is wanted for abduction of a person under 14. Global Affairs Canada confirmed it is providing consular assistance in the case.

3. E-scooter rider dies after crashing into opened car door in North York

A 60-year-old e-scooter rider has died days after crashing into a parked vehicle in North York early Sunday morning. The collision happened near Driftwood Avenue and Jane Street shortly after 1:30 a.m.

Police said the man hit the open driver-side door of a parked car for unknown reasons. The 22-year-old owner of the car remained at the scene. The investigation is ongoing.

4. Police seek cyclist wanted in connection with three Markham sexual assaults

York Regional Police are asking for the public's help to identify a man on a bicycle wanted in connection with a string of sexual assaults in Markham. Police have released surveillance images of the suspect and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Residents are reminded to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to police.

5. Man wanted after sexual assault on downtown Toronto sidewalk

Toronto police are searching for a male suspect after a victim was sexually assaulted while walking in downtown Toronto on Saturday evening. The incident happened shortly after 6 p.m. near University Avenue and College Street.

The suspect is described as 50 to 55 years old, five-foot-four to five-foot-six tall, with a thin build and clean-shaven. He was wearing a dark blue "Fenwick" baseball cap, a grey hooded sweater with "Canada" printed on the front, and black jogging pants. Anyone with information is asked to call police or Crime Stoppers.

6. Three taken to hospital after multi-vehicle collision in North York

Three people were taken to hospital, including one sent to a trauma centre, following a three-vehicle collision in North York on Tuesday afternoon. The crash happened shortly before 4 p.m. near Don Mills Road and Mogul Drive.

A woman suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries, a man also suffered serious injuries, and a third person had minor injuries. Don Mills Road has since reopened. The cause of the crash remains unknown.

7. Deadline to register for Toronto's municipal election is Friday

The deadline for candidates to register for Toronto's municipal election is this Friday. With the deadline approaching, this year's race has drawn a large field of contenders, giving voters many choices on the ballot.

Media reports spoke with a former Toronto mayor and local voters about what having so many options means for the city, which will elect its next mayor and council this fall.

8. Tiger mosquito detected in Niagara Region

Niagara Region Public Health announced Tuesday it has identified a single Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) in Lincoln, Ont. The mosquito tested negative for any virus, but the species can transmit West Nile, dengue, chikungunya and Zika.

The health unit said there has been no change in risk to the community, but urged residents to remove standing water and use insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin, and to wear light-coloured, long-sleeved clothing outdoors.

9. Sikh activists in B.C., Ontario warned of threat against their lives

RCMP have issued "duty to warn" letters to at least two Canadian Sikh activists, including Inderjeet Singh Gosal of Caledon, Ont., and Manjinder Singh of Abbotsford, B.C., telling them their lives are under credible threat because of their involvement in efforts to create an independent Sikh state in India.

Gosal said the referendum movement is peaceful and does not condone violence, and that the threats will not change plans for the next vote in Edmonton in October. The warnings follow the 2023 killing of activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Surrey, B.C.

10. Police locate third set of human remains on Smiths Falls property

Ontario Provincial Police have located the body of Lawrence Bertrim, 44, an eastern Ontario man missing for nearly four years, marking the third set of human remains found on the same property near Smiths Falls. Bertrim was last seen on Sept. 30, 2022, in downtown Smiths Falls.

Police previously found the remains of Robbie Thompson, 34, and Robert Lambert, 75, on the property. The causes of death have not been determined and no charges have been laid. A $50,000 reward had been offered for information.